Chapter 57: The Master's Arrival—Can I Treat Him as Your Child?

"???!" The crowd was startled.

Increasing soul power is a rather ordinary soul skill.

But increasing the number of times a soul skill can be used is not simple.

Some soul skills are heavily restricted; sometimes they can be used only three times a day, or even just once.

After such a soul skill is released, it requires a long recovery time before it can be used again.

Tang San's Third Ring can actually increase the usage count of this soul skill?!

And extending the duration of a soul skill is even more bizarre!

How is that achieved?

Zhao Wuji excitedly had everyone test the effect of a Blue Silver Soul Lotus Seed.

"……"

Xiao Xian (nickname) also took a Blue Silver Lotus Seed from Tang San.

The taste wasn't great, a blend of Blue Silver Grass and the bitterness of Soul Lotus.

As soon as he swallowed it, Xiao Xian (nickname) raised an eyebrow, "So that's how it is?"

His soul power spontaneously increased by a segment.

The added soul power felt somewhat incongruous with his own soul power.

But he sensed that if he were to release a soul skill, he could completely channel the added soul power together with his original soul power, at a ratio… one to one.

Of course, he could also choose not to.

"It still has a huge flaw."

Xiao Xian (nickname) immediately noticed the problem with this soul skill, frowned in thought, and decided to discuss it slowly with Tang San after returning.

The others, after eating, also seemed thoughtful.

After Oscar ate the seed, his soul power condensed in his hand, and a thickened Storm Intestine appeared in his palm.

"Ten minutes! This Storm Intestine can last ten minutes! Tang San, third brother! You are my god! You're truly amazing!" Oscar clutched Tang San's neck, exclaiming with delight.

A sausage lasting five minutes versus ten minutes is simply two different concepts.

Five minutes sometimes can only barely finish a battle.

But ten minutes is almost guaranteed to end a battle.

Tang San smiled, but nudged Oscar uncomfortably.

Zhao Wuji also patted Tang San appreciatively, "From today onward, your Blue Silver Grass, just like little Oscar's, can be considered top‑grade!"

"It's truly bizarre—a mere sprig of grass, yet so formidable?"

"But…" Zhao Wuji thought of something, and with a pained hand he touched the lingering wound on his face.

"Let's go! Back to the town, it's on me!" Zhao Wuji, unusually generous, felt good; the trip had a few hiccups but went smoothly.

Since he helped Xiao Xian (nickname) hunt Soul Beasts, he no longer lacks Gold Soul Coins.

On the way back to the town, everyone indulged in a carefree two‑day relaxation.

Ma Hongjun reverted to his old ways, and Zhao Wuji helplessly led him to a place to dispel the evil fire.

Ma Hongjun recklessly kept inviting Dai Mubai; Dai Mubai cautiously glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, feeling helpless and angry, and almost gave Ma Hongjun a beating.

During that time, perhaps due to luck, they actually encountered people from the Canghui Academy emerging from the Star Dou Great Forest.

But Ma Hongjun wasn't there, so the group didn't fight them.

That night, while drinking, Zhao Wuji turned Xiao Xian (nickname)'s embarrassing incident—meeting a Dragon Lord and Snake Matron because of a wild boar—into a joke.

The others were surprised and covered their mouths, laughing quietly.

Xiao Xian (nickname) also laughed helplessly, adding a non‑existent black‑history point.

Dai Mubai asked Xiao Xian (nickname) about what happened afterward.

Xiao Xian (nickname) gave a rough account: the Human‑faced Demon Spider, the girl who almost exploded her body, and the delivery of Soul Beast information.

The group sighed at Xiao Xian (nickname)'s luck, and also at the girl's luck.

Tang San frowned slightly as he listened, a vague murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

How dare they snatch my senior brother's Soul Beast Theory data?!

"……"

After another night of rest, everyone's stamina and spirit had largely recovered.

In the morning, they set out again.

With Tang San's seed and Oscar's Storm Intestine, the journey sped up considerably.

This time it took only more than half a day—barely reaching evening—when Xiao Xian (nickname) and the others returned to Shrek Academy.

Then each returned to their dormitory to sit in meditation.

Dean's office.

Fulangde was somewhat surprised by Zhao Wuji's party's recent encounter.

However, since they didn't encounter a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast and faced no death threat, he felt relatively at ease.

They did meet the legendary Dragon‑Snake couple, and Xiao Xian (nickname)'s nighttime re‑encounter gave him some shock and sentiment.

Unless the Golden Iron Triangle still stands, if a real conflict arose with the legendary Dragon‑Snake couple, the entire Slake would be insufficient for them to fight.

"Xiao Xian (nickname)… how could you be so careless?" a stiff‑sounding voice came from outside the door.

Zhao Wuji was startled; earlier he had heard footsteps and thought they were academy teachers, but now hearing the voice, he realized it was a stranger.

He recalled the previous time he met a stranger at the academy and got beaten up, and gave a cold stare.

"Indeed, it doesn't really fit his style, but he's still young, so it's understandable," Fulangde said with a smile, looking toward the doorway.

A middle‑aged man entered through the doorway, his face rigid but his back straight, revealing his inner pride.

"Zhao Wuji, this is my old partner from back then, also Xiao Xian (nickname) and Tang San's teacher. Just call him Master; almost everyone in the Soul Master world calls him that," Fulangde said with a smile.

Zhao Wuji's cold gaze softened; he turned, looking at Master with a hint of surprise, "So you are the Master! I have heard of you for a long time; I am Zhao Wuji."

He had long heard that Xiao Xian (nickname) had a teacher, who was brothers with Fulangde the Boss, and they got along well.

He had always been curious what kind of being could mentor someone as odd as Xiao Xian (nickname), and never expected to actually meet a real person today.

"Fudō Myōō, no need for formalities," Master said, his face still as stiff as always, but he forced a smile and began chatting with Zhao Wuji.

"……"

Zhao Wuji left.

Fulangde looked at Master, unable to hold back, brought up Xiao Xian (nickname), looking conflicted, and said, "Xiao Gang, Xiao Xian (nickname) really isn't yours…? Er Long…"

Master, being clever, naturally caught Fulangde's implication.

He was first angry, then helpless, finally agitated; Master stared hard at Fulangde, almost shouting, "All these years have passed, and you still have the nerve to ask me? Why did I leave—don't you know the reason? Don't tell me you don't like her!"

Fulangde's face flushed with anger.

The two argued for a while, but in the end both sighed helplessly.

Fulangde sighed, "…She already said that I'm forever his big brother."

Master also sighed, his gaze a bit dazed, "It's been twenty years; now I only want to cultivate Xiao Xian (nickname). Matters of the heart, I no longer think about them. Xiao Xian (nickname) is not my child, yet he is my child; you may treat him as my child."

Fulangde glared at Master, having wanted to say, if one day we could meet her again… I hope you won't evade.

But hearing Master's words, he thought of Xiao Xian (nickname)… "I could just treat him as your child…?"

Fulangde's heart stirred, and he fell silent.

Master left.

Fulangde covered his face, his expression full of hesitation and conflict.

He felt he was truly despicable.

Time passed slowly; at dinner time that evening, Tang San stepped out of the dormitory, preparing to call Xiao Xian (nickname) and Xiao Wu.

"Little Three."

Tang San jumped in surprise.

On his rooftop, a middle‑aged man stared at him with blazing eyes.

But when he saw clearly, the shock on his face instantly turned to delight.

"Teacher! When did you arrive?!"

"……"